Yamaha celebrates 40 years in Brazil

First automaker’s two-wheel industry to settle in the country, the brand’s history – the forerunner in various segments such as Street, Trail, and Cross Racing – walks along the history of Brazilian motorcyclists.

On October 10, 1974 in Guarulhos, in Greater São Paulo, Brazil was the first motorcycle manufactured. Yamaha RD 50, affectionately dubbed by the public “cinquentinha”. Thus began a major national industry that this year celebrates 40 years in the country, Yamaha Motor of Brazil, first motorcycle factory installed and consolidated here today among the largest automakers.

Yamaha Production

During this period, the brand launched over 140 models, whetting the appetites and given the passion of Brazilians by two wheels. Soon after the “cinquentinha,” came the RD 75, the natural evolution of the first, and the RS 125, assembled with all parts and accessories manufactured in Brazil. The company introduced various segments of motorcycles in the Brazilian market, as the first Trail, Cross and National Racing, contributing and moving along with the story of the segment in Brazil.

Yamaha Production

Even in the 1970s, the TT 125 was the first Brazilian Trail with dampers “oversized”, most current and resistance and longer front fork. In the category Cross, DT 180, soon after renamed Super DT180 – which was the champion of countless enduros (mainly Enduro Independence). And the RD 350, which is still sought by many collectors, it was the first National Racing. Manufactured between 1986 and 1993 was fever and trained many pilots.

In the 1990s, two iconic models began to be imported brand by showcasing the very best on two wheels around the world. The V-Max, brought in 1994 and even today in reference motorcycle that delivers the utmost in the categories of strength, performance, comfort and power. And in 1998 – less than a year after the global launch – the YZF-R1 model that is modern and the pursuit of engineers to integrate man and machine in a single symbol, ie, the extent biker brand. Yamaha pioneered this idea and today all sports, influenced by this concept, follow one way or another the tone that this motorcycle has brought in its release.

Yamaha Production

Check below 40 outstanding events of 40 years of the First Factory in Brazil Motorcycles

1. The Yamaha name comes from its founder “Torakusu Yamaha” son of an astronomer who served the Tokugawa Kishu clan – in an era when Japan witnessed massive reforms as it transformed from a feudal society into a modern country. In 1887 he built his first musical organ and in 1897 created the Nippon Gakki Co. Ltd. – Current Yamaha Corporation. By this time the Yamaha was already a pioneer in the production of Western musical instruments in Japan.

2. The Yamaha Motor Corporation Ltd., an arm of the company’s line of engines, came 58 years later, in 1955, and was created by the then president of Nippon Gakki, Genichi Kawakami.

3. It started with the 125cc motorcycle, the YA-1, popularly known as “Aka-tombo” or “Red Dragonfly”. It was the first motorcycle company, symbol of quality, originality and development since then identify Yamaha. The “Y” brand comes from Yamaha, and the “A” and “1” is an allusion to “first motorcycle.”

4. Ten days after the founding of Yamaha Motor Corporation, on July 1, 1955, the Yamaha competition team won the 3rd race of Ascent of Mount Fuji and took the first places on the steps that followed up the next year in Japan, when it began to participate and also stand out in international competitions.

5. The Yamaha emblem of an arrangement of three tuning forks used to tune musical instruments, was defined by Nippon Gakki in 1898 and has been used by Yamaha Motor since its founding. The three tuning forks in original emblem incorporate the idea of “three arms production, marketing and technology rising boldly to the world.” Yamaha Motor today adds its own definition the emblem of “customers, society and individuals.”

6. The Yamaha has pioneered global segment in On / Off Road, with the launch of Yamaha DT-1 in 1968.

7. The philosophy of Yamaha worldwide, since its foundation, the Kando is a Japanese word, without translation into Portuguese, that expresses feeling of deep satisfaction and intense excitement experienced when we encounter something of exceptional value. It is a positive feeling that comes through the senses, sight, touch, smell, etc. Yamaha follows this philosophy and always seeks to create motorcycles that have a compelling snoring, are beautiful in design and satisfy the desire of performance and comfort.

8. In Brazil, the first office of the company, then known as importer, founded in 1970, and was located at Rua General Osório in São Paulo. At that time they arrive the first medium displacement motorcycles and the famous 650 four stroke.

9. Motorcycles imported in the first instance were 2 times:

V50 (E) cub 50cc single cylinder

F5 50cc single cylinder street

GI (F) 80cc single cylinder street

Y-L1 (E) 100cc street bicilíndrica

Y-A7 (E) 125cc single cylinder street

Y-AS1 125cc street bicilindrica

Y-street CS2E 180cc bicilindrica

Y-DS3 (E) 250cc street bicilindrica

Y-R3 350cc street bicilindrica

R3 bicilindrica street.

10. The acronyms are very common in this segment, the first of which were:

F = 50cc

G = 80cc

L = 100cc

A = 125

C = 175cc / 180cc / 200cc

D = 250cc

R = 350cc

S = Street

T = Trail

E = Electric Start

F = mechanical Departure

X = Four-stroke Engine

11. In 1973 arrives the first medium displacement motorcycles from famous XS line later called TX bikes with 500cc, 650cc and 750cc. Gradually Yamaha developed a more ambitious project that included the construction of a factory located in Guarulhos, SP, on the banks of the Presidente Dutra Highway that strategically close to the left inside the São Paulo state and the port of Santos.

12. In 1974 the Yamaha Brazil inaugurated its factory in Brazil, the first plant outside of Japan and marks the first motorcycle on national soil. Year in which the first motorcycle produced in Brazil, RD50, known as “Cinquentinha”.

13. In the same year, the Italian Giacomo Agostini, considered one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time was the team’s Yamaha in MotoGP. Logo on his debut, won the Daytona 200.

15. In 1977, the brand introduced the Yamaha RS125 model which included parts and accessories produced by Brazilian industry.

16. In 1978 once again showed Yamaha pioneer manufacturing the first Brazilian “trail”, TT125 which had the dampers “oversized”, most current and resistance, and a longer front fork, raising the minimum height from the ground. Pioneered the development of the trail and on / off motorcycles in that market. She was sold until 1984 and introduced further into the habit of riding on trails and dirt roads. Who was very fond of novelty was the team of quality inspection of the factory that his tests with the model ran until 400km a day cutting the landscapes of the Serra do Mar, before the inauguration of the Rio-Santos (1985).

17. It’s also the first Brazilian Yamaha Cross. The DT180, launched in 1981 and a year later renamed Super DT180. One of the biggest selling brand in Brazil, she was equipped with rear suspension type Monocross, Cantilever, chassis and double (Yamaha Energy Induction System) system YEIS crib. In Super DT180 found himself exchanging 6 speeds and redesigned swingarm, with steel pipe cross section. She was champion of countless enduros (especially the most important one, the Enduro Independence).By the end of its production, other variations of the DT 180 were produced, including the DT 180L, 180N DT and DT 180Z.

18. And it does not stop there, the first National Racing is Yamaha, the RD350, made ​​here between 1986 and 1993. Its production was characterized by two distinct phases. The first production: RD350, RD 350 and RD350LC Export and the second, with the RD350 R, with fully enclosed fairing and twin round headlight assembly. The RD350 was dubbed the black widow due to the strong performance. With the barrier to imported products at the time, this model was the delight of lovers of speed and had an exclusive class of racing, the RD Cup, which trained many pilots and provided thrills to lovers of two wheels.

19. Ténéré is a region in the middle of the Sahara desert and was the scene of the first Paris-Dakar Rally. In the late 1970s, many drivers entered in the competition used the XT500, Yamaha. The French rider Cyril Nevew won the stage on a motorcycle 1979 Yamaha once again showing the vocation of being the winning brand. In 1988, Yamaha XT 600Z Ténéré launches, inspired by the motorcycle racing technology. She snatched a number of devotees worldwide.

20. In 1985, Yamaha further consolidates its roots in Brazil, inaugurated in Manaus Free Zone, Yamaha Motor’s Amazon, its second plant, further increasing its ability to cater to the domestic market. The change comes in good time, given the need to produce larger displacement models, requiring parts with higher technological value.

21. In 1991, the DT 200 was the first on / off road two-stroke engine with liquid cooling produced by Yamaha from Brazil.Manufactured until 1998, she was equipped with disc brakes on the front, rear suspension New Link Monocross, tires with more grip and YPVS (Yamaha Power Valve System) developed by the famous Yamaha valve which increases the torque at various engine speeds.

22. Attentive to the desires of consumers, and increase the product line offered, Yamaha starts in 1992 importing directly from Japan’s XTZ 750 Super Tenere. One of the most successful models in the world, gave great emotions, plus plenty of safety when traveling long distance. Owners and pilots approve the machine due to its comfort and feeling of solidity, and high autonomy in the 26-liter fuel tank.

23. Although the segment on / off road, in 1993, Yamaha’s Brazil starts to produce XT 600. It reinforces the potential of this niche market getting, including the Moto Gold Award from Motorcycling magazine six times.

24. An important point in the history of the brand in Brazil was the migration of two-stroke engines to four-stroke. The two stages are easy and inexpensive to maintain and offer high performance. However, despite the four-stroke engine require more specialized maintenance and offers lower levels of emissions. From the moment that the brand realized that technological advances in four-stroke engines to beat the performance of the two times – using embedded electronics technology – the migration was a natural step.

25. The Maximum. The V-Max was first imported to Brazil in the 90’s until the turn of the century. Setting it is always a thankless task. Maybe that’s why it is one of the few motorcycles that reached the status of “legendary”. She had V4 engine, 1198cc, with 145 horses. Moreover, its unique design and style to be made ​​subject today among lovers of two wheels.

26. In 1999, the brand brings Virago XV 535, meeting the desires of motorcyclists’ Estradeiros by nature. ” The imported model followed the global trend of “reviving the classics of the past.” The motorcycle had elegant design with scale air “revival” V engine, escamento and other engine components and their chrome cycling part.

27. As soon as the YZF-R1 was launched out there in 1998, Yamaha brought to Brazil. The super sport is also one of the few that fits the “legendary” profile, with its 4-cylinder in-line, 998cc and 182 horses. Importing directly from MotoGP, motorcycling major championship of the world, “R1” technology, as it is called, was a landmark in the category with organic design, above average performance and cutting edge engineering. This motorcycle inspired and continues to inspire all others in its class today.

28. In 1998, following the trend of reviving the classic style of custom motorcycles, Yamaha brought to Brazil V Star XVS 650 A motorcycle that combines the long and low to the current technology era retro look. Have four-stroke engine, bicilíndrico “V”, air-cooled 649cc exact and secondary transmission and driveshaft profusion of chrome, plus the characteristic whine of the two side exhausts overlapping in the purest style rock and roll.

29. The launch of YBR-125 with four-stroke engine in 2000 was a significant growth of Yamaha motorcycles in the Brazilian market in March. She was the first genuinely produced for the local market and the first four popular times. Brought modern design and was highly praised. Became the fourth best-selling model in Brazil and the best-selling brand.

30. In 2005, Yamaha released the 250 YS Do, pioneered a new generation of “green” motorcycles with electronic fuel injection, catalytic converter and air induction system. Fazer 250, as is known, surprised by the sports performance combined with the comfort of a model for urban use.

31. In 2005, Yamaha XT 660R Motorcycle was the first of the new generation with electronic injection and catalytic converter, produced only by Brazil and by the Yamaha Yamaha French.

32. Blueflex. The flex fuel system was used in Yamaha YS 250 Do, in 2012. Today in its second generation, the system became more efficient and robust with adoption of the fuel system with return (no need to change the internal filter fuel pump) and elimination of waiting at the exit on cold days with ethanol.

32. The new global slogan REVS YOUR HEART, adopted in 2012, communicates the ideals shared by the company worldwide.Expressed the desire to provide excitement to customers. In a free translation into Portuguese means “The Yamaha accelerates your heart.” The brand develops unique and innovative concepts, with the only product design and uncompromising quality.

33. A new phase in Brazil. On Two Wheels Hall 2013, Yamaha’s Brazil announced a new stage, entering on the right foot in the street segment 150 and announcing a new release every six months. The Making YS 150 was presented at the Salon, the model came to mess with the main segment of the Brazilian market (150cc street). The first model of the 150cc Japanese automaker sells in the country was developed exclusively for the Brazilian market. The project was done in partnership by the technical areas of Brazil and Japan. Everything lined up with the new slogan “Revs Your Heart”.

34. The legend resurfaces, the new V-Max was brought to Brazil by the end of 2013. The new model has a V4 engine with liquid cooling 1.679cc, which generates up to 200 horsepower at 9,000 rpm with maximum torque of 17.0 kgf.ma 6,500 rpm. Redesigned its design, with black aluminum frame forms an arch above the engine, while the giant tubes on the front forks do not compare to anything else seen on any motorcycle. Its unparalleled style is even more emphasized by four huge air vents in aluminum, aggressive styling and hand finishes.

35. T-Max an icon of sophistication, design and sportsmanship. The Executive 530cc motorcycle has won several awards and is very successful in the European market, with record sales in 2012 there. Since 2013 is also sold in Brazil serving an increasingly heated market.

36. Following the new phase of the brand, Yamaha introduced in early 2014 to XTZ 150. Crosser also the result of a partnership between the technical areas of Brazil and Japan, it was developed with the concept on / off road, bringing elements of sportsmanship and adventure for anyone who wants a motorcycle for the day-to-day.

37. Ténéré Brazilian family. Besides XTZ 250 Tenere XT 660 Z Tenere, Yamaha from Brazil also began to manufacture the XT 1200Z Super Tenere, in two versions, Standard and Deluxe. This makes the country is the only one in the world to produce the renowned whole family.

38. Valentino Rossi is one of the greatest drivers of all time MotoGP, main category of competition on two wheels in the world, nine times champion and Racing Yamaha rider. In September 2014 he broke the record of most pilot who scored in the competition’s history, totaling 5,000 points.

39. The Dark Side of Japan, or “The Dark Side of Japan” came to Brazil in the second half of 2014 with the MT-09. Mounted in Manaus, MT (short for Master of Torque) brings this concept is successful and abroad with its 850cc, and 8.92 kgf.m 115cv torque arrives at the Brazilian market with its three cylinders and unique design. The MT-09 represents an innovative concept that combines elements characteristic of sports models, naked and motard. Compact, with only 191kg, their power delivery is linear and pleasant, and emit a distinctive sound.

40-year history of the First Factory Motorcycles Brazil.

Yamaha Production

Yamaha Production

About Yamaha Brazil

The brand of the three tuning forks – known mention of the shield with three overlapping tuning forks, was established in Brazil in 1970 with the Yamaha Motor of Brazil Ltda. It was the first motorcycle manufacturer to settle effectively in the country. Already in October 1974 began producing in Guarulhos, São Paulo, the first national model, Yamaha RD 50. In 1985 settles in Manaus, Amazonas with a second plant Yamaha Motor Amazonia Ltda. Today there are 25 versions and 20 different models of motorcycles, 07 ATV’s (quads), 09 WaveRunner (craft), 20 models of outboards and a network of over 500 Dealers and sales outlets authorized and trained in the care and service quality. The Yamaha Motor Group in Brazil consists of seven companies like Yamaha Motor Ltda of Brazil, da Amazônia Ltda Yamaha Motor, Yamaha Motor Bank of Brazil S / A, Yamaha Administration Consortium Ltd., Yamaha Motor Insurance Broker in Brazil Ltda, Yamaha Motor Components of Amazonia Ltda of Brazil and Yamaha Motor Serviços e Participações Ltda. Also part of the group subsidiaries Yamaha Motor del Peru S / A, Yamaha Motor Uruguay S / A and Yamaha Motor Argentina S / A. Yamaha’s Brazil is a major producer and exporter polo for select groups and demanding as Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Oceania and Mercosur.